accuspacer-prefabricated multi structural timber alignment fixture

ABSTRACT

Prefabricated Multi Structural Timber Alignment Fixture, for quicker &amp; cheaper roof structural timber&#39; installation, comprises L beam ( 1 ) having four welded U channels ( 3 ) matching standard roof timber width, embodying holes ( 7 ) to nail timber to channels ( 3 ). USES &amp; ADVANTAGES: 1. Saves time, labour &amp; costs on repetitive roof truss accurate fixing &amp; installation. 2. Inexpensive instant accurate permanent and safe truss alignments in one go. 3. Eliminates need for temporary alignment templates &amp; battens, requiring removal. 4. Eliminates need for measuring tapes and associated operative errors. 5. Assembly at ground level 4 trusses &amp; 3 accuspacers, using only hammer &amp; nails. 6. Entire accuspaced assembly of 4 trusses can be hoisted high and safely into position. 7. Versatile Alignment Fixture can be deployed for horizontal and sloping trusses. 8. Fabricated beam construction substantially enhances building structural soundness.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an Accuspacer—Prefabricated Multi Structural Timber Alignment Fixture, to save roof installers time, labour & costs by quicker, accurate, 3-D regulation spaced alignment & installation of sets of four roof trusses. The inexpensive Accuspacer stays in with the building for ever—does not require removal; and the robust fabricated beam construction substantially enhances roof truss structural soundness.

DEFINITIONS IN THIS CITATION

“Accuspacer”—The generic name proposed by applicant to allude to the present invention—“Prefabricated Multi Structural Timber Alignment Fixture” as cited in the Claims, Detailed Referenced Description & Drawings of this application.

“accuspaced” past tense meaning—2 accuspacers & 4 roof trusses assembled—FIG. 3.

“regulation spaced”—Statute Building Regulation Dimension, of Local Government.

PROBLEM & PRESENT STATE OF THE ART

Roof truss installers spend far too much time at dangerous high roof levels using measuring tapes, temporary battens & temporary 3-D alignment templates all of which require removal later for re use.

SOLUTION & OBJECT OF PRESENT INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to overcome the above problems by providing roof truss installers with an Accuspacer—a building fixture that not only gives instant 3-D regulation spaced roof truss alignment in one go, but stays with the building for ever—does not require removal; and the robust fabricated beam construction substantially enhances roof truss structural soundness. There is no need for measuring tapes with associated operative errors, or temporary alignment battens, or temporary alignment templates requiring removal for later re-use. Also four trusses & two Accuspacers can be pre-assembled using only a hammer and nails safely at ground level and then the entire perfect 3-D aligned accuspaced assembly hoisted up safely into position—reducing risks to safety of installation operatives. The versatile Accuspacer is for horizontal and sloping roof trusses.

PRIOR ART—PATENT & PRODUCT SEARCHES—NO ANTICIPATIONS

At the time of filing, a Worldwide Patent Database Search carried out on the European Patent Office esp@cenet website showed no prior art of a permanent “Prefabricated Multi Structural Timber Alignment Fixture” as cited in the present application. N.B. A temporary roof truss spacing template, which require removal after use is not an anticipation of the present invention.

Product Searches on the World Wide Web showed no product anticipation available of a Prefabricated Multi Structural Timber Alignment Fixture that stays for ever permanently and does not require removal.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Accuspacer—a Prefabricated Multi Structural Timber Alignment Fixture, for inexpensive, quick, accurate 3-D regulation spaced alignment & installation of sets of four roof trusses, comprises L section beam having four welded U channels, matching standard truss width; with holes to nail truss to Fixture.

USES & ADVANTAGES

1. Saves time, labour & costs on repetitive roof truss accurate fixing & installation.

2. Inexpensive instant accurate permanent and safe truss alignments in one go.

3. Eliminates need for temporary alignment templates & battens, requiring removal.

4. Eliminates need for measuring tapes and associated operative errors.

5. Assembly at ground level 4 trusses & 3 accuspacers, using only hammer & nails.

6. Entire accuspaced assembly of 4 trusses can be hoisted high and safely into position.

7. Versatile Alignment Fixture can be deployed for horizontal and sloping trusses.

8. Fabricated beam construction substantially enhances building structural soundness.

REFERENCE TO DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 Shows a 3D view of a typical embodiment of the Accuspacer invention—Prefabricated Multi Structural Timber Alignment Fixture—shown complete, (unattached to any roof truss), on its own, clearly illustrating the novel characterised features and inventive steps for which a patent is sought.

FIG. 2 Is a part view 3D close-up of a part section of a roof truss, 6, nailed, 8, inside a U channel, 3, of part of an accuspacer, 1.

FIG. 3 Shows a 3D illustration of the invention showing three accuspacers, 1, assembled on to four roof trusses, 6, ready for hoisting up and installation.

DESCRIPTION

1. Referring to the drawings, the present invention titled “A Prefabricated Multi Structural Timber Alignment Fixture”, 1, comprises (FIG. 1):

-   -   a. a long L section shaped beam, 2, embodying     -   b. four short U section rectangular shaped channels, 3,         perpendicularly welded, 4, at predetermined (U section, 3),         centres to top of base, 2 b, of the beam, 2, the     -   c. channels, 3, match width of standard structural timbers, 6,         (FIGS. 2 & 3) and have     -   d. a plurality of holes, 7, for nails, 8, (FIG. 2), to secure         roof timbers, 6, to U-channels, 3.

2. The beam, 2, and the U channels, 3, are ideally fabricated from sheet metal material, including stainless steel sheet, zinc coated steel sheet, and aluminium sheet of at least 1.2 mm thickness.

3. U channel welding includes spot welding & tack welding, ideally tack welding, 4, to the uprights & base of the L section beam, 2.

4. The predetermined centres between U channels, 3, is the regulation distance between roof timber centres set by the Building Regulations of each country—for Britain this distance is 400 mm and 600 mm.

5. The height & depth of the L section beam, 2, is approximately 40 mm each, and its overall length is approximately 1840 mm.

6. The height & depth of U-channels, 3, are approximately 50 mm & 90 mm respectively. 

1. Accuspacer—Prefabricated Multi Structural Timber Alignment Fixture comprising: a. a long L section beam, with four rectangular cut outs in upright side to embody b. at least three, (ideally four), short U section rectangular shaped channels, perpendicularly welded at predetermined centres to top of base of said beam, c. said channel width match width of standard structural timber; and embody, d. a plurality of holes for nailing said timbers to said fixture.
 2. Accuspacer—Prefabricated Multi Structural Timber Alignment Fixture as in claim 1, wherein said long beam and said short U channels are ideally fabricated from sheet metal material including stainless steel sheet, zinc coated steel sheet, and aluminium sheet of at least 1.2 mm thickness.
 3. Accuspacer—Prefabricated Multi Structural Timber Alignment Fixture as in claim 2, wherein said U channel welding includes spot welding & tack welding; ideally tack welding to the uprights and base of said L section.
 4. Accuspacer—Prefabricated Multi Structural Timber Alignment Fixture as in claim 3, wherein said predetermined centres between said U channels is the regulation distance between roof timber centres set by Building Regulations of each country—for Britain this distance is 400 mm and 600 mm.
 5. Accuspacer—Prefabricated Multi Structural Timber Alignment Fixture as in claim 4, wherein height & depth of said L section is approximately 40 mm each, and the overall length of said long beam is approximately 1840 mm.
 6. Accuspacer—Prefabricated Multi Structural Timber Alignment Fixture as in claim 5, wherein height & depth of said channels are approximately 50 mm & 90 mm respectively. 